Writing-machine carriage.



' Patented lune |0, 1902. .1. T. SCHAAFF.

WRITING MACHINE CARRIAGE.

2 Sheets-Sheet L,

(Application filed Apr. 14 1902.)

' (No Model.)

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'No. 702,379. Patented June I0, 1902.

J. T. SCHAAFF.

WRITING MACHINE CARRIAGE.

. (Application filed Apr. 14, 1902.) (No Model.) 2 s ew-shat 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN T. SOHAAFF, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

WRITING-MACHINE CARRIAGE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 702,379, dated June 10, 1902. Application filed Apia 14, 1902. s ri l No. 102,836. (No model.)

is so connected with the carriage as to be capable of shifting and also capable of being turned upward to permit the work to be inspected; and it is the object of my invention to provide a means for connecting the platencarrier and carriage which shall be'simple in construction and efficient in operation.

My invention consists in the construction and arrangement hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view on a plane at right angles to the line of movement of the carriage. Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the carriage and platen-carrier. Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the shaft on which the platen-carrier pivots, together with one form of the devices for supporting the shaft. Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing a modified form of the device for connecting the platen-carrier with the carriage; and Fig. 5 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a further modification in the connecting means.

In the drawings, A indicates the carriage of a type-writing machine arranged to move on the tracker way 0 and caused to move on the track or way by the means commonly employed for reciprocating the carriage.

B indicates the platen carrier or frame oarrying platen 12 and provided at its front with means for engaging with and traveling on the usual shifting rail D. From the platen carrier or frame B extend rearwardly arms 13, preferably two in number, near the ends of the frame. In the arms 13 is journaled a shaft 4:, to which are secured, near its ends, supporting devices 3, shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 as Wheels, adapted to roll relative to the upper surface of the carriage. By reason of this rolling connection it will be clear that the shifting of the platen-carrier is permitted and at the same time the platen-carrier is free to be turned up for inspection of the work.

As it is essential to proper operation of a type-writing machine that the platen be always parallel with the line of movement of the carriage, it is necessary to provide means by which the wheels 3 at opposite ends of the platen carrier or frame shall move the same distance when the platen is shifted. The means which I provide for this purpose consist of flexible connections 5 6, preferably straps of fiat spring-steel, each fastened at one end to the rolling support, as by screws 7 and 9, and at the other end to the carriage, as by screws 8 and 10. These flexible connections 5 and 6 are oppositely arranged, as shown, so that as the rolling support 3 moves in one direction one of the flexible connections is wound on and the other unwound from the periphery of the rolling support, the movement of the rolling support being thus controlled by the flexible connection so that it cannot slip relative to the carriage. The flexible connection for each of the rolling supports 3 being identical and the two rolling supports being fast on the shaft 4, it follows that both ends of the platen carrier or frame must move simultaneously and the platen must remain always parallel with the line of movement of the carriage. The flexible connections 5 and 6 are preferably so arranged that they underlie the rolling supports. Preferably, also, the screws 8 and 10 pass into plates 2, which are secured to the top of the carriage and form ways for the rolling supports. Obviously these plates may be dispensed with and the flexible connections rest directly upon the upper surface of the carriage.

Instead of the flat strips 5 and 6 shown it is obvious that cords or even chains might be used. Instead of the wheels 3 (shown in Figs.

2, and 3) segments, as shown in Fig. 5, may be used, the action being the same, it being necessary only that the segments be sufficiently extensive to permit of the required movement of the platen-carrier.

In order to prevent possibility of the lifting of the supporting device from the ways on which they move, I prefer to provide one or more brackets 11, secured to the carriage port 8.

and having an arm which extends over the shaft 4: and prevents its rising, while permitting the shaft to move back and forth beneath it. Adjustable stops 14 are arranged on the carriage to limit the movement of the platen carrier or frame. These stops are preferably arranged, as shown, to contact with the shaft 4.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a modified form of my invention, in which the shaft 4, carrying the rolling supports 3, is journaled in bear ings fixed to the carriage, and the platen-carrier B is provided with rearwardly-extending arms 13, having their under surface adapted to move over the periphery of the rolling sup- In this form of my invention the flexible connections 5 and 6 are secured at one end to the under surface of the arms 13 and at the other end to the periphery of the rolling support. In this form the platen carrier or frame 13 is provided with a downwardlyextending arm 15, adapted to contact with the adjustable stop 14.

By reason of the rolling supports it will be observed that the rear end of the platen in shifting moves in a horizontal plane, not in an arc. If considered desirable, however, that the rear ends of the platen-carrier should move in an arc, this maybe accomplished by pivoting the arms of the platen-carrier at a point slightly above the center of the supports 3.

I am aware that means have been proposed designed to be associated with a platencarrier having a transverse shifting movement and a tilting movement for insuring a simultaneous and even movement of both ends of the platen in the shifting of the same from upper to lower case position to maintain the alinement thereof, and I do not claim the same broadly; but

What I do claim is- 1. In a type-writing machine the combination of a carriage, a platen-carrier and means for connecting the platen-carrier with the carriage comprising a shaft, supports fast on the shaft adapted to roll relatively to a plane surface, and a pair of flexible connections, arranged reversely to each other, for each of the supports, each connected at one end to the plane surface and at the other end to one of the supports substantially as described.

2. In a type-writing machine the combination of a carriage, a platen-carrier and means for connecting the platen-carrier with the carriage comprising a shaft journaled in bearings on the platen-carrier, supports fast on the shaft adapted to roll relatively to the carriage and flexible connections each secured at one end to the carriage and at the other end to one of the supports substantially as described.

3. In a type-writing machine the combination of a carriage, a platen-carrier and means for connecting the platen-carrier with the carriage comprising a shaftjournaled in bearings on theplaten-carrier, supports fast on the shaft adapted to roll relatively to the carriage and a pair of flexible connections for each of the supports, one end of each of the flexible connections being secured at oneend to the carriage and at the other end to one of the supports substantially as described.

4. In a type-writing machine the combination of a carriage, a platen-carrier and means for connecting the platen-carrier with the carriage comprising a shaft journaled in bearings on the platen-carrier, supports fast on the shaft adapted to roll relatively to the carriage and flexible connections each secured at one end to the carriage and at the other end to one of the supports, and a bracket secured to the carriage having an arm extending over the shaft substantially as described.

5. In a type-writing machine the combination of a carriage, a platen-carrier and means for connecting the platen-carrier with the carriage comprising a shaft journaled in bearings on the platen-carrier, supports fast on the shaft adapted to roll relatively to the carriage and flexible connections each secured at one end to the carriage and at the other end to one of the supports, and stops carried by the carriage for limiting the movement of the platen-carrier substantially as described.

6. In a type-writing machine and in combination, a carriage, a platen, a transversely shifting and tilting platen-carrier, a supporting member for the latter, and flexible connecting devices associated with each end thereof for imparting a uniform rotary movement to said ends in the shifting of said carrier, the said rotation of said member controlling the movement of the carrier, whereby the alinement of the same is maintained.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN T. SOHAAFF.

Witnesses:

HENRY E. COOPER, JAMES M. SPEAR. 

